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A stunning 2 day trek among New Zealand's highest mountains

Trek through amazing alpine terrain, surrounded by New Zealand's highest peaks and longest glaciers. Enjoy a night in the private Caroline Hut, savouring the fabulous views of the 2000m high Caroline Face of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest ice face. Relax in its wonderful setting on the Ball Ridge, high above the Tasman Glacier, and be awed by the ice avalanches rumbling down Mount Cook. Sunsets in this high alpine environment can be incredible!

Climb Fergan's Knob with your guide in the morning for even more stunning views before beginning your descent. Enjoy the unique alpine flora and bird life on your way back down Ball Ridge and out to Mount Cook Village via the Tasman Valley. The views out over the Tasman Glacier are even better in the return direction.

Overview

The Aoraki Mount Cook Trek is a 2 day alpine adventure in the Mount Cook Range accessed from the Tasman Valley.

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The Aoraki Mount Cook Trek is a 2 day alpine adventure in the Mount Cook Range accessed from the Tasman Valley. The hiking route on the first day follows the Ball Ridge, high above the Tasman Glacier, and opposite the mighty Caroline Face of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest ice face. You'll spend a night at the private Caroline Hut (1800m) soaking in its stunning setting on the Ball Ridge with astounding views of the surrounding peaks.

On the second day you can climb Fergan's Knob with your guide in the morning (if time and conditions permit). You will have abundant photographic opportunities and time to enjoy the unique alpine flora and bird life on your way back down Ball Ridge and out to Mount Cook Village via the Tasman Valley. The views out over the Tasman Glacier are even better in the return direction.

The Aoraki Mount Cook Trek Highlights

Hike up high in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home of New Zealand's highest mountains.

Get close to the mighty Aoraki Mount Cook and enjoy breathtaking views of some of our 3000m peaks.

Be awed by Aoraki's Caroline Face as you hike up the Ball Ridge and watch its ice avalanches from the safety of Caroline Hut.

Tap into the experience of your mountain guide to learn new skills and venture onto terrain you wouldn't otherwise attempt.

Enjoy the comfort of a night at the private Caroline Hut at 1820m/6000ft, with guaranteed bunk space and a warm meal in a spectacular location.

Relax in the good company of like-minded adventurers and hear an exciting tale or two from your guide.

Don't have all the gear? No worries - all equipment is provided - including boots, harness, crampons, ice-axe.

Included:

ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the trip

ALL mountaineering and trekking equipment

Meals and accommodation before/after the trip are NOT included.

+Minimum & Maximum Numbers

A minimum number of 2 participants is required to run this trip. If you end up being the only person booked on the trip, you will be offered the choice of:

paying an additional fee of NZ

rescheduling to another trip/date

a full refund

The maximum number of participants per guide is 4. The maximum group size is 8, with 2 guides.

+Group Bookings

Take advantage of our group booking discounts and get a group of family and friends together. The amount of discount you will be eligible for will depend on the group size - the more people you book, the more your discount will be! If our scheduled dates don't suit your group's travel plans, please contact us as we can reschedule a trip to suit (subject to guide availability).

Please note that group bookings are not private bookings - if you wish to keep your group closed (ie. you have a private guide just for your group), a surcharge will apply. Alterntatively you can book a group of 4 or 8 (which will ensure there are no others in your group).

Scheduled dates

SEASONNOV-APR

We recommend settling guiding dates well in advance since peak season times are often booked up. Please allow extra time in case you are held up in the mountains due to weather.

Aoraki - a special mountain, a special area

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park offers New Zealand's most spectacular alpine scenery. All of New Zealand's 3000m plus peaks, except Mt Aspiring, are contained in this national park and the adjacent Westland National Park. This is New Zealand's climbing mecca. Most peaks are accessible only to experienced mountaineers. However, alpine hiking or trekking is possible close to Mount Cook on the guided Aoraki Mount Cook Trek, in the company of experienced mountain guides.

On the Aoraki Mount Cook Trek you will enter a "topuni" area, a place of great spiritual significance to Ngai Tahu, the Maori tribe who were the first people to occupy most of the South Island.

"Aoraki", the name given by Ngai Tahu to New Zealand's highest peak (Mount Cook), is their most sacred ancestor, from whom they derive their identity and "mana" or status. Aoraki possesses power over life and death and represents a link between the natural and spiritual worlds. It is a huge privilege to pass through this area and take in the awe-inspiring views that Aoraki and the surrounding mountains offer.

Venue: Caroline Hut

VENUEPRIVATE HUT

Caroline Hut is the only guide/operator-owned mountain hut in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and is available for the exclusive use of Alpine Recreation parties.

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↑ Caroline Hut is the ideal location for an active mountain holiday.

Privately Owned

Caroline Hut is the only guide/operator-owned mountain hut in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and is available for the exclusive use of Alpine Recreation parties. As we are not using public huts there is no risk of overcrowding, facilities are clean and you have a guaranteed bunk.

Stunning Location

Located at 1820m on Ball Ridge, directly opposite the Caroline Face of Aoraki Mount Cook, Caroline Hut is a great location to experience the mountain views in comfort.

Fully Equipped

The hut is equipped with firewood, gas, solar lighting, satellite phone, Department of Conservation radio, sleeping bags and nonperishable food. A wood-fired stove means there are good heating and drying facilities.

Facilities

The hut consists of two rooms, sleeping up to 10 participants and 2 guides in total. There are no showers, but warm water and a basin can be provided for washing. The two traditional longdrop toilets have one of the most spectacular views in the country!

Trekking Fitness & Experience

For the Aoraki Mount Cook Trek you need to have previous hiking, backpacking, tramping or bushwalking experience. This trek is beginner mountaineering and is more demanding than many other popular treks.

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↑ Aoraki Mount Cook Trek: Elevation profile

Fitness & endurance

This alpine adventure is suitable for fit hikers and backpackers, able to climb 850m over steep, rugged, untracked terrain in up to 6 hours

Previous experience & agility

You need to be sure-footed, have good balance and have previous hiking, tramping or bushwalking experience. Crampons and ice-axe may be required early season (November-December), but you are not expected to have previous experience with these.

Preparation

All trips to Caroline Hut require above average fitness to cope with the mountain terrain. Early season (November-December) you are likely to encounter soft snow even below the hut. If you have never walked in deep snow before, then the best way to prepare for this is to walk through sand dunes or somewhere where there is loose sand, where you lose a good percentage of your momentum with each step. Mid to late season (January - April), when the snow has melted back, you will encounter loose scree (rock) slopes in places. The best training for this is to hike along stony riverbeds or beaches where there is an uneven surface, where you have to watch your foot placement.

Mountain Conditions & Weather

Conditions change significantly during the season - from possible deep snow early season to bare rock late season.

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Changing Conditions

Early season (November - December) there can be deep snow to contend with. If necessary we will outfit you with snowshoes. Late in the season (mid February - April) snow has often completely disappeared. However, even in the middle of the summer there can be new snowfall, into autumn (March - April) the chances of this increase.

The guide will give you a thorough gear check before departure to ensure you are adequately equipped for both the hot and cold of a mountain environment.

Itinerary

LENGTH2DAYS

ACCESSWALK IN/OUT

Aoraki Mount Cook Trek is a 2 day trip, taking you up to Caroline Hut on Day 1, possibly ascending Fergan's Knob before returning on Day 2.

Drive to Mount Cook (about 1 hour), transfer to 4WD vehicle and drive as far as possible up the old Ball Hut Road, parallel to the Tasman Glacier. The effects of glacial recession are very evident as we hike beside the lateral moraine. From Ball Shelter, climb 850m up the Ball Ridge to Caroline Hut at 1800m/6000ft, perched right opposite the awe-inspiring Caroline Face of Mount Cook. The panorama includes Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, all the mountains adjoining the Tasman Glacier, and Lake Pukaki (4-6 hours trekking).

Day 2

Option to climb Fergun's Knob on the ridge above Caroline Hut before returning via the Ball Ridge and Tasman Valley. This time we have the 29km long Tasman Glacier stretching out in front of us to the north. Our descent route allows good views out over the ever-expanding terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier. During hot weather a refreshing swim in Blue Lake at the end of the hike is a great way to finish (4-5 hours hiking). We finish back in lake Tekapo at about 5pm.

Equipment

EQUIPMENTPROVIDED

All of your equipment will be checked during the gear check at our office at the start of your trip. Any equipment you need to borrow from us will be issued by your guide.

Alpine Recreation provides helmets, harnesses, crampons and ice-axes. Outdoor clothing, packs and boots can also be provided at no extra cost if necessary. Please see the equipment list for further details.